'Gasping' for a cuppa and 49 more sure fire signs you're getting old

Regularly nod off mid Netflix binge? Struggle to remember people’s names? Can’t help but groan when you have to bend down?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and all, but these are all signs you’re on the slippery slope to old age.

According to a poll of 2,000 adults other indicators you’re ageing include needing an afternoon nap, finding it tricky to sit cross-legged and choosing comfort over style (hello Crocs, goodbye heels.)

Complaining more often, declaring you’re ‘gasping’ for a cup of tea and feeling flattered (read: grateful) when you get asked for ID in the pub also made the list.

While other warnings you’re getting on a bit include preferring a night playing a board game over a night on the tiles (Who doesn’t love a tense game of Monopoly?), knowing your alcohol limit (just say no to the Porn Star Martini) and struggling with technology (‘How do you do emojis again?’)

Your music tastes and social life are also red flags that you’re over the hill with switching from Radio 1 to Radio 2 and refusing to go to festivals both serving as indicators of old age.

Swapping a vat of Prosecco for a nice glass of Sherry is also a sure fire sign you’re on the slippery slope.

The survey, commissioned by Future You to highlight the benefits of Turmeric+ tablets, also found feeling stiff and talking about your joints a lot featured in the top fifty signs you’re growing old.

A spokesman said: “It’s fascinating to see nearly half the nation considers joint pain and stiffness a sign of growing age.

“In fact, knees came out as one of the most common body parts giving Brits physical discomfort so it’s important you take care of yourself regardless of your age.”

Gasping for a nice cup of tea is another sign you’re getting old [Photo: Getty]

Researchers named the surprisingly young, 41 ,as the age adults typically start exhibiting these ageing signs, with 57 the point at which people consider themselves to be ‘officially old’. Yikes!

While saying cheerio to their youth, almost half of those surveyed (47 per cent) said losing their memory is their biggest worry about getting old, with almost a third (29 per cent) worried about the impact ageing will have on their fitness.

More than one in three are concerned about loneliness in their old age, while for a fifth the fear of losing their looks takes precedent.

Nearly half of those polled admit to feeling old before their time, but three in four say they feel younger than their actual age proving there could be some truth in the saying ‘you’re only as old as you feel’.

For many sitting around and waiting for the years to creep by just isn’t an option and in fact many are making lifestyle changes to try and increase their lifespan, typically by age 40.

Overhauling the diet is the most popular lifestyle change, with others cutting back on bad habits such as drinking and smoking or even quitting altogether.

A spokesman for Turmeric+ added: “It’s interesting to see a number of Brits are making a conscious effort to reverse the ageing process, by recognising the benefits of natural ingredients and taking food supplements.”

Swapping Prosecco for Sherry is another sign of old age [Photo: Getty]

Top 50 signs you’re getting old:

Forgetting people’s names

Losing hair

Feeling stiff

Talking a lot about your joints/ailments

Groaning when you bend down

Not knowing any songs in the top ten

Misplacing your glasses/ bag/ car keys etc

Getting more hairy – ears, eyebrows, nose, face etc.

Avoid lifting heavy things due to back concerns

Saying ‘in my day’

Finding it tricky to sit cross-legged on the floor

Hating noisy pubs

Choosing clothes and shoes for comfort rather than style

Falling asleep in front of the TV every night

Thinking policemen/teachers/doctors look really young

Falling ill more often

Saying “it wasn’t like that when I was young”

Complaining about more things

Needing an afternoon nap

Feeling tired the moment you wake up

Struggling to use technology

Finding you have no idea what ‘young people’ are talking about

Having colleagues who are so young they don’t know what a cassette tape is

Losing touch with everyday technology such as tablets and TVs

Complaining about the rubbish on television these days

Spending time comparing illnesses and injuries with friends

Your friends are all ill more often

Not knowing or remembering the name of any modern bands

You consider going on a ‘no children’ cruise for a holiday

You know your alcohol limit

Struggling to think of anything worse than going to a music festival

Never going out without your coat

Putting everyday items in the wrong place

You move from Radio 1 to Radio 2

You start driving very slowly

You struggle to lose weight easily

Buying a smart phone but having no idea how to do anything other than make phone calls on it

You say ‘I’m gasping for a cup of tea’

Spending more money on face creams / anti-ageing products

Falling asleep after one glass of wine

Feeling you have the right to tell people exactly what you are thinking, even if it isn’t polite